When poaching delicate fruit, such as apricots and peaches, use a large shallow pan so the fruit can be in a single layer, rather than piled on top of each other. Also, keep the fruit submerged in poaching liquid with a round of parchment paper to prevent it from turning brown. After you serve the fruit, mix the poaching liquid with seltzer water to make a refreshing apricot fizz.

　　

Ingredients

Makes 12

　　3 cups water

　　3 cups sugar

　　3 strips (each about 1/2 by 2 inches) fresh lemon peel

　　6 slices (1/4 inch thick) peeled fresh ginger

　　1 cinnamon stick

　　1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

　　12 small ripe apricots, halved and pitted

　　

Step 1

Make poaching syrup Cut a piece of parchment paper to fit inside a large straight-sided skillet. In the same skillet, stir to combine the water, sugar, lemon peel, ginger, and cinnamon stick. Bring mixture to a boil over high heat, and cook until sugar dissolves. Reduce heat to low. Simmer (uncovered) until liquid has thickened slightly, about 10 minutes. Stir in lemon juice.

　　

Step 2

Poach fruit Add apricots to pan. Place parchment round on top of fruit. Return to a simmer and cook until apricots soften slightly (this will depend on the ripeness of the fruit).

　　

Step 3

Cool Remove from heat and let cool completely (the fruit will continue to soften a bit as it cools). Use immediately, or transfer fruit and poaching liquid to a storage container. Make sure fruit is completely submerged in liquid. Refrigerate until ready to use, up to 4 days.

　　Reprinted with permission from Martha Stewart's Cooking School: Lessons and Recipes for the Home Cook by Martha Stewart. Copyright © 2008 by Martha Stewart. Published by Crown Publishing. All Rights Reserved.Martha Stewart is the author of dozens of bestselling books on cooking, entertaining, gardening, weddings, and decorating. She is the host of The Martha Stewart Show, the Emmy-winning, daily national syndicated program, and founder of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, which publishes several magazines, including Martha Stewart Living; produces Martha Stewart Living Radio, channel 112 on SIRIUS Satellite Radio; and provides a wealth of ideas and information on www.marthastewart.com.